09-25-00 Public Works & Property Vacation

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Public Works and Property Vacation Committee September 25, 2000 Page 2 Council . The Committee concluded that the process should be improved. Following further discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council Member Aranowski that Bill No. 83-00 be continued until the October 9,2000 meeting of the Council and that every effort be made to contact the petitioners with regard to the recommendations from the Board of Public Works. The motion passed. Dr. Varner noted that he has listed for discussion the growing concerns that he has with regard to street light outages. He stated that approximately a year and one half ago he raised this topic in Committee which resulted in a letter being sent. That process resulted in some limited positive results. Dr. Varner stated that the list of street outages go back to July of this year with 194 outages listed currently. He stated that the delay in addressing these concerns is unacceptable. Dr. Varner then provided a street light outage handout listing the amount of money on a monthly basis which has been credited by AEP to the City for 1999 and 2000 through September 25th. He stated he and the rest of the Council have experienced far more frustration than the $ 18,000 of credited to the City. He further noted that Tim Banta position has been eliminated and that despite a local contact the overall AEP operation is out of Fort Wayne. tha Pe P Mr. Littrell stated that he deals with Tom Steinke of AEP to service the lights. The City tariff to AEP for a flat lighting pays 60 000 as a monthly ta g g rate, and receives a credit after a light l�Y Y n being out for two(2) days and being reported to AEP. Dr. Varner stated that anticipated expectations of AEP to address outages is not good enough since a public safety issue has been created in many neighborhoods as a result of these outages. He stated if the City needs to contact the Robert Henry corporation which has a contract to service underground connections, then that should be done also. He added that perhaps the City should consider replacing light bulbs since we have the equipment to service traffic lights. Council Member Aranowski agreed that public safety is now at issue. He cited the Keller Park South area noting that an entire neighborhood is out. He further noted that beat officers have stated that light outages foster crime. Council President Pfeifer noted that there is a significant difference when AEP took over the operations. Council Member Kirsits stated that better service from AEP is indeed necessary. He noted that he believes that whole grinds may be out since often times three or four blocks are out when making a fire service run. Dr. Varner suggested that a threshold for service must be established. He recommended that the Council Attorney be authorized to review the AEP contract. There was no objection raised to Dr. Varner's suggestion. He further suggested that she update him and the Committee and then perhaps have a joint Committee meeting with the Utilities Committee and AEP officials. Council Member Kirsits, Chairperson of the Utilities Committee agreed to call a joint Committee meeting with Dr. Varner once he received the report from the Council Attorney. • Under unfinished business, Dr. Varner ri9te4 that he asked the Council Attorney to draft